I rarely get on the Teachers Board b/c it has so little traffic. I hope you got replies. I eat breakfast around 7:00 AM, but I'm starving around 10:00 AM. I snack on a Pure Protein bar (I'm a chocoholic), a slice of sandwich meat wrapped around a cheese stick (lowfat both), beef jerkey, SF oatmeal. I'm not much of a protein drink drinker so I put Any Whey protein powder in soups, coffee, etc. I do great following a diet in the school year. It's summer and holidays that do me in. JackieBel

I am stuck in a classroom for the entire day with little or no time to regroup. I fee like the walls are closing in on me. After 15 years of teaching students with Learning Disabilities, I am SOOOO ready for a change! I have several areas of certification - including reading and Ed. Leadership - yet I feel like I'm going no where. I feel guilty about changing course midstream (middle of the school year) yet I'm no longer getting much pleasure from teaching. To make matters worst, I've been given two classes with 29 students each. I've compained to administration for eight weeks, but to no avail. My friend said she could put in a good word for me at another school (a position without classroom responsiblities), but I'm concerned about being out for WLS (have my 2nd opinion done the end of the week - last step before approval). What's a poor woman to do? Thanks for allowing me to vent.

I went back after two weeks. I was extremely tired and wished I had waited at least another 3 weeks. I teach first grade. My energy level got better after the first two months.

Karly, It all depends on your relationship with your site adminstrator and your district policies. My surgury is scheduled for the last day of school (graduation day). So I had a talk with my principal, and explained how my surgeon was taking a 3 week hiatus that would have delayed my surgury by that amount, along with delaying my recovery over the summer. Given how I want to be 100% when I return this fall and maximize my recovery period prior to this, he was cool with it! Robyn Math Teacher - Continuation HS Teacher!

You might check with you district's personnel dept on the rules. Call your surgeon and see if they can move you to the end of the day and move someone else up to your spot. Good luck! And, yes I know exactly what it's like to wait. I was stressed to get my surgery done within a couple of months b/c the district's insurance was changing Sept 1. I ended up having WLS the first day of school, Aug 22, and was back in class in 2 weeks. Jackie

Hi there fellow teachers! I just found this board, and I am so excited to "meet" all of you! I am scheduled to go to a meeting with a surgeon on the last day of school, May 30th (which is records day). Anyone know the policy on that, I know we are not supposed to miss, but it is for a good cause! haha. Any thoughts on who would be mad at me, or should I just try and reschedule (next date would be June 13th, and I am sure you can relate to me wanting to get this process started and surgery scheduled for this summer!:) ). Thanks! Karly Special Education Teacher-Alternative Site in KY

Congratulations Sandi, that's wonderful! Very happy for you. Yes, being at work is definately a mixed blessing, but I agree with you that the good outweighs the bad. And only 2 weeks until Winter Break! YOU GO GIRL!

I didn't return to teaching this year, and now I am getting rid of all my teacher materials. I thought some of you might be interested in it. If you are interested in books or arts & craft supplies, please check out my Ebay listings.... http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZflamingomangotango I also have TONS of reproducibles on many units of study to GIVE AWAY. Just email me. Thanks!

Best of luck. It is hard at first but it does get easier. Amy If you have any questions email me.

Hi Pamela, hope your recovery is going smoothly. My surgery is a week from tomorrow and I can hardly stand to wait anymore! I agree with you about it being about our health. I think it's funny/strange how teachers really tie themselves up in knots about taking time off. I do that too much. Worry about the kids not being ok. Worry about the the sub not being ok. Worry about the school not being ok... Always putting other's needs ahead of my own is a major contributor to my obesity, and I need to deal with this as much as the food.